Ok, I didn't need to see shirtless Ham. Glad Kimi kept 3rd in drivers points. 2018 definitely a season of "could have been" Toto (paraphrased): "hopefully we can catch the curve ball of the next regulatory change" No, Toto, no. I appreciate the metaphor attempt, but you want to HIT the curve ball. Off to the slopes.
Donuts at the end was an exciting way to end the season! Congtats to Ham on his victory and domination this year! Good to see Alonso go out on a good note.
Anyone get the impression that the early (VSC) stop for Leclerc was political? They didn't want him racing Vettel before they were even in the same cars. Utterly hosed Leclerc's race, though.
Interesting race. No one had the pace via Red Bull or Ferrari to stop the LH train. Only mystery to me was why Bottas fell back so far so fast. On to next year and Charles shaking up the order at Ferrari!!!!!!!!!!
Honda ended its testing via race with multiple failures this weekend. I cannot think thats good for Red Bull. Certainly they can learn and change but this was sad way to end the season.
Vettel vows to fight Hamilton ‘harder’ next year - Seb you had a golden opportunity this year. Hopefully it will be Charles and you will leave after next year. No loss if you leave. How many more years eh??????
Agreed that this year was THE Golden Opportunity. But I wouldn't put all the blame on Seb, though. Too many mistakes by the team and its management, as well. I also wouldn't underestimate the impact of Sergio’s passing.
What an incredible season! What and incredible final race! Congrats to the 5xWDC LEWIS THE HAMMER HAMILTON!
Seb was part of it for certain, but I believe the team mistakes and mismanagement put him in the position to take so many high-risk measures. Had they managed races effectively, he would have remained in the front-runner position, which is where he excels.
Listening to the broadcasters, you get the sense Bottas is the subject of tough conversations at Merc. Rosberg came straight out and said he needed to get his act together. DiResta seemed to suggest Merc aren’t happy with his form and he’s driving with a sense of burden. I don’t get their sentiment that “driving with Hamilton is making life tough for VB”. Bottas should maximize any result he can get. I know he was asked to sacrifice his race a couple of times, but I expected him to start winning races once Hamilton clinched. It was kind of the opposite
Too bad. As long as F1 insists on having the choice of tire be a predominant factor in the outcomes of races and championships they might as well allow competition between tire suppliers too.
You don't say! Yes, I ooccasionally feign ignorance of futbol. But really with all the recent ridiculous presence of Will Smith on Mercedes Team Radio & Abu Dhabi, I submit Toto wished to use an American Baseball Idiom...or perhaps not. I do, however, wish Toto had used an Arnold 'Terminator' quote on smug Horner during the presser. Nauseating. I would promise to watch a soccer match in its entirety if Will Smith would never attend another F1 race (but I imagine he is studying up to portray LH in a movie....bleh!).
He needs race craft when not at the front - 4 titles. Exposed this year fully with poor race craft and decision making under pressure. As far as mistakes go, the team stated publicly via Arrive that he made more than the team. End of. He is severely over rated. Im not buying the Vettel magic anymore. Not after the last 2 years. Poorly timed moves early on in a faster car and consistently at that. He's not even in the top 3 for me at all. He is simply not that good. Sure he can drive but not when it counts the last 2 yrs - anger management, control emotions and strategy. He is a failure.
Yep. He's going into the offseason even more emboldened that he's "always in the right" since it all worked out for him today. As much as a competitive RBR with Honda engines would make for a more interesting 2019 season, I truly hope Max endures a season next year with Honda like Ricci did this year....and perhaps Renault will up their game.
